A former Aberdeen Labour councillor has launched a blistering attack on the leadership of the local party – and called for the group to follow the Liberal Democrats by ruling out any coalitions.
Former George Street and Harbour member Nathan Morrison said leader Jenny Laing was a “megalomaniac” and urged the party to go into opposition instead of joining an alliance with the Conservatives or the SNP.
Following the election last week the nationalists won the most seats at 19 while the Tories picked up 11, Labour 9, Liberal Democrats four and independents two.
The Liberal Democrats have announced they will not join any administration while sources have indicated both the SNP and Conservatives are keen to join with Labour to form an administration.
It’s understood that the decision is now with Labour’s National Executive Committee.
But Mr Morrison, who now works as a union organiser in Berkshire after stepping down at the last election, said the “controlling” nature of the local leadership had cost them vital seats on the council.
He added that Mrs Laing’s position as group leader was “untenable” having taken the party to a “rump” of nine councillors.
He said: “I think should we go into coalition with the Tories or the SNP we will simply be used as a human shield.
“In my view being reduced to nine seats behind the Tories is a crushing blow to the Labour movement in Aberdeen.
“I could just about stomach being in with them when they had just three councillors but I can’t see how us being a junior party could help us at all in the coming elections.
“We now need a period in opposition to win back the trust of the people of Aberdeen who have said they want the SNP.
“Ultimately the responsibility for this lies with the leadership who were seen as too distant from the public.
“If we are with the Tories it appears we don’t respect democracy, if we are in with the SNP we don’t look strong on the union. The only option is opposition.”
SNP and Conservative sources indicated that their groups would be making no further comments until any deal is done.
Labour leader Jenny Laing has not made any comment since the election result last Friday.
Liberal Democrat leader Ian Yuill said: “We will do what is best for Aberdeen and our constituents.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said that there was a legal requirement for the provost to be appointed but not the council leader on Wednesday.
